Criminal Justice Professor Receives New Scholar Award
December 1, 2014
Contact: University Relations
Phone: 410.837.5739
Tara N. Richards, assistant professor in the University of Baltimore's School of Criminal Justice in the College of Public Affairs, is the 2014 recipient of the New Scholar Award from the American Society of Criminology's (ASC) Division on Women and Crime (DWC).
The New Scholar Award recognizes the achievements of scholars who show outstanding merit at the beginnings of their criminology careers. Outstanding merit may be based on a single book or work, including dissertation or a series of theoretical or research contributions to the area of women and crime. The New Scholar award is given out annually to one promising scholar who has earned his or her Ph.D. within the last eight years.
In her young career, Richards has presented 33 papers at national or international meetings, published 29 peer reviewed journal articles, seven agency reports, three book chapters, and three encyclopedia entries, and edited a book. Her research focuses on victims of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and child maltreatment—groups who, because of fear and shame, or disbelief by authority figures, often remain hidden and do not receive the services that they need.
"Receipt of this award gives me an additional platform to spread awareness regarding sexual assault and family violence and to promote the development and testing of prevention and intervention programs to serve victims," says Richards. "I am so honored and humbled to receive this award."
Richards accepted her award at a special DWC breakfast held during the ASC's annual meeting, Nov. 19-22, in San Francisco.
The largest division of the ASC with more than 400 members worldwide, the DWC focuses on research and policy making regarding gender, crime and justice. The DWC also recognizes the achievements of women as students and professional scholars in the study of criminology through its annual awards programs.
Richards was nominated for the New Scholar Award by colleague and fellow DWC member, Angela R. Gover, professor in the School of Public Affairs at the University of Colorado, Denver. Gover's nomination letter included nomination support letters from six other fellow DWC members.
Learn more about Prof. Richards and UB's College of Public Affairs.
The University of Baltimore is a member of the University System of Maryland and comprises the College of Public Affairs, the Merrick School of Business, the UB School of Law and the Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences.